What Rapid Shape does

Rapid Shape GmbH is a German privately-held company founded in 2011 in Heimsheim, Baden-Württemberg, that designs and manufactures DLP (Digital Light Processing) 3D printing systems for professional dental, audiology, and jewelry applications. The company's core technology uses UV light at 385 nanometers from energy-efficient LEDs to cure photopolymer resins, with patented differentiators including the Automatic Separation Module (ASM), RS Turbo Force Feedback technology, and RS Crystal Polish Reservoir. Its product portfolio spans entry-level chairside systems (ONE), mid-range laboratory printers (PRO 20, PRO 30), and high-volume automated production systems (D50+, D90+, D100+ ortho, RS Inline 3.0), complemented by WASH and CURE post-processing units and the Print Studio slicing software.

The company operates an open material platform with 1,900+ validated material workflows (1,600+ dental, 300+ audiology and jewelry), distinguishing it from competitors using proprietary material lock-in strategies. Revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of 3D printers and post-processing units, with software (Print Studio), support and maintenance services, and validated materials contributing secondary streams. The company sells through a multi-tier distribution model combining 25+ country distribution partner networks (including Straumann, Dentsply Sirona, Argen, DMG, Benco Dental, BEGO) with direct enterprise sales supported by wholly-owned regional subsidiaries in the USA, Brazil, China, Japan, and Hungary, employing 200-225 people across seven global office locations.

Customer segments span dental clinics (chairside, same-appointment workflows), dental laboratories (standard and high-volume), audiology professionals (hearing aids, custom earmolds), and jewelry manufacturers (castable patterns). The company's strategic direction, evidenced by 2025 product and partnership cadence, indicates continued investment in automation, software ecosystem expansion, and penetration of high-volume dental laboratory segments.

Name

Rapid Shape

Legal name

Rapid Shape GmbH

Website

https://rapidshape.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Rapid Shape GmbH is a German manufacturer of DLP 3D printing systems for dental clinics, dental laboratories, audiology, and jewelry professionals, with 200-225 employees and distribution across 25+ countries through channel partners and regional subsidiaries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional 3D Printing Systems

NAICS

Dental Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (339114), Printing and Related Support Activities (3231)

SIC

Dental Equipment & Supplies (3843), Printing Trades Machinery & Equipment (3555)

akta.pro primary industry

3D Printers (Additive Manufacturing) (HDACAEAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Medical & Dental Prototyping (Models, Guides, Pre-Op Planning) (IMAAAFAI), 3D Design & CAD for Additive Manufacturing (IMAAACAA), 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing for Jewelry (CRAKAIAK)

Keywords

• DLP 3D printing systems
• Dental 3D printers
• Audiology 3D printing
• Jewelry 3D printers
• Rapid prototyping equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Heimsheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 3D Printing Hardware Sales: Sale of 3D printers including ONE, PRO 20, PRO 30, D50+, D90+, D100+ ortho, and RS inline 3.0 for dental, audiology, and jewelry applications. Revenue generated from initial hardware purchase by dental labs, clinics, and industrial customers.
2. Software Licenses: RS Print Studio dental slicing software sold as part of the PRO 20 package and available for other Rapid Shape 3D printing solutions.
3. Post-Processing Equipment: Sale of complementary equipment including WASH, CURE, and RS cure XL post-processing units that automate cleaning and curing workflows.
4. Support and Maintenance Services: Customer portal access, technical support, training, and maintenance services provided to customers worldwide through regional offices.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Rapid Shape designs, develops, and manufactures professional DLP 3D printing systems, including desktop and high-volume printers, automated post-processing units, and proprietary slicing software, sold primarily to dental clinics, dental laboratories, audiology providers, and jewelry manufacturers. The company sells hardware, validated consumables, software, and post-processing equipment on an open material platform with 1,900+ validated resin workflows.

Product overview

Rapid Shape is a German-engineered 3D printing systems company offering a modular portfolio of dental, audiology, and jewelry 3D printing solutions. The core product line includes desktop and high-volume 3D printers (ONE, PRO 20, PRO 30, D50+, D90+, D100+ ortho, RS inline 3.0, and audiology/jewelry variants) paired with post-processing units (WASH, CURE, RS cure XL) and Print Studio slicing software. The company operates an open material platform supporting 1,900+ validated material workflows across dental, audiology, and jewelry applications. Products range from compact chairside systems for dental clinics to fully automated production lines for high-volume dental laboratories, with specialty configurations for hearing aids and jewelry manufacturing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RS Print Studio: Next-generation dental slicing software for scan-to-print workflows
• Rapid Print Kit
• RS Crystal Polish
• RS Turbo

Products and services

• ONE Dental 3D Printer Compact desktop DLP 3D printer designed for dental clinics performing in-house, same-appointment restorations and chairside workflows. Supports the Rapid Print Kit accessory for 8-minute crown production.
• PRO 20 Dental 3D Printer Versatile DLP 3D printer for dental laboratories featuring RS Turbo Force Feedback for industry-leading print speeds and RS Crystal Polish Reservoir for high-shine surface finish. Compatible with 200+ validated dental materials across 15+ workflows and integrates with Print Studio software.
• PRO 30 Dental 3D Printer Desktop 3D printer for dental labs built on the D30+ platform with next-generation upgrades, large build plate capacity, and optimized throughput for multiple daily print runs with consistent precision. Available from October 1, 2025.
• D50+ Dental 3D Printer High-volume dental laboratory DLP 3D printer with Automatic Separation Module (ASM) and Automatic Resin Refill for continuous operation. Large build volume supports batch production of up to 54 crown and bridge models by queueing six print jobs and up to 120 dentures across six print jobs. Validated for Lucitone Digital Print denture workflows.
• D90+ Dental 3D Printer High-volume dental printer for demanding labs producing splints, dentures, and models. Large build volume for batch production and validated for Lucitone Digital Print denture workflows.
• D100+ ortho Dental 3D Printer High-volume dental laboratory 3D printer designed for orthodontic applications and modular, fully automated 3D printing systems built to scale production across 10+ dental workflows.
• RS inline 3.0 3D Printing System Modular, fully automated 3D printing system for high-volume dental labs, built to scale production across 10+ dental workflows with minimal manual intervention.
• WASH Post-Processing Unit Automated cleaning unit for 3D printed dental parts. Part of the validated post-processing workflow alongside CURE, ensuring optimal material properties and ISO-compliant biocompatibility.
• CURE Post-Curing Unit Fast post-curing unit for dental 3D printed parts with vacuum evacuation curing for superior physical properties and biocompatibility. Part of the integrated post-processing workflow.
• RS cure XL Post-Curing Unit Large-format post-curing unit designed for high-volume post-processing of dental 3D printed parts.
• RS Print Studio Slicing Software Next-generation dental slicing software with validated resin profiles, anatomically optimized support settings, automatic support generation, pre-configured workflows, and native 3Shape Produce integration for one-click scan-to-print. Sold with the PRO 20 package.
• RS VIVO Dental 3D Printing Materials Proprietary dental 3D printing material from Rapid Shape's material portfolio, part of the open material platform with 1,900+ validated material workflows.
• RS Rapid Print Kit for ONE Accessory kit for the ONE 3D printer enabling ultra-fast crown, bridge, and single splint production. Features compact build platform, specialized small Resin Reservoirs, and Crystal Polish Reservoir. Enables 8-minute print times for crowns and bridges and 70-minute vertically printed splints.
• PRO 20 Audiology Configuration PRO 20 system configured for audiology, including the printer plus PRO wash and PRO cure units. Prints up to 30 earmolds in 30 minutes with RFID material identification and intelligent printer/wash/cure communication.
• HA50+ / S50+ 3D Printer 3D printer for jewelry applications producing precise, scalable castable jewelry patterns and custom designs.
• HA90+ / S90+ cabinet 3D Printer High-volume 3D printer in cabinet form factor for audiology applications, designed for hearing aid shells and custom protection devices.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8-minute print times for crowns and bridges with Rapid Print Kit on ONE printer
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Argen CanadacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 September 2025Exclusive Strategic Partnership designating Argen Canada as the sole distributor of Rapid Shape's comprehensive 3D printing solutions across the Canadian market. Combines Rapid Shape's engineering excellence with Argen's established presence in the Canadian dental industry. Includes validated Argen 3D printing resins for use with Rapid Shape systems.
• VITA VIONICmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 May 2025Validation partnership for VITA VIONIC resins on Rapid Shape dental 3D printing systems. VITA VIONIC produces dental resin materials for various applications.
• Dentsply SironacoreTechnology or Integration · 1 March 2025Partnership to validate Rapid Shape's D50+, D90+, and PRO 20 3D printers for use with Dentsply Sirona's Lucitone Digital Print Denture System materials including Lucitone Digital Print, Lucitone Digital Value, Lucitone Digital IPN, Lucitone Digital Fuse, and Digital Cure Units. Validates BAM! smart polymer technology for digital denture manufacturing. Enables dental laboratories to produce high-quality full-arch and partial dentures using validated workflows.
• Argen USAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2025Partnership to bring Rapid Shape 3D printing solutions to dental labs in the USA. Argen is a leading provider of dental laboratory products and services.
• BEGOmajorTechnology or Integration · 1 February 2023Industry-leading 3D printing materials from BEGO made available for Rapid Shape 3D printer systems. BEGO is a renowned manufacturer of dental materials and equipment.
• StraumannmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2017Partnership since 2017 for distribution of Rapid Shape dental 3D printing solutions. Straumann is a global leader in dental implantology and prosthetics.
• DMGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Rapid Shape products in dental markets.
• Benco DentalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor dental distributor offering Rapid Shape 3D printing solutions to US dental practices and laboratories.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Formlabs: Formlabs is a leading SLA 3D printer manufacturer with a major dental and medical vertical (Form 3B/4B, Dental SG resin). Directly competes with Rapid Shape's PRO 20, PRO 30, and D-series printers in dental labs and clinics with similar open-material positioning.
• Asiga: Asiga manufactures DLP 3D printers with a strong dental and audiology focus (DentaBOX, Max, Ultra). Direct overlap with Rapid Shape's DLP dental/audiology portfolios and open-material philosophy.
• SprintRay: SprintRay specializes in chairside and dental-lab DLP 3D printers (Pro, Pro S, Midas) and a tightly integrated ecosystem. Competes head-to-head with Rapid Shape's ONE and PRO lines for in-clinic same-appointment restorations.

Broad incumbents

• 3D Systems: 3D Systems is a broad incumbent in 3D printing with a dedicated dental solutions portfolio (NextDent). Competes with Rapid Shape across dental labs and provides both printers and a broad materials portfolio.
• Carbon: Carbon offers a proprietary DLS (Continuous Liquid Interface Printing) technology platform with dental and medical applications. Competes with Rapid Shape in high-end dental and industrial production, though with a different technology stack.
• Stratasys: Stratasys is a large incumbent in polymer and dental 3D printing (Origin, PolyJet, DentaJet). While broader in scope, it is a key competitor in dental labs and is also a distribution partner to Rapid Shape, creating both overlap and channel dynamics.
• EnvisionTEC (Desktop Metal): EnvisionTEC, now part of Desktop Metal, has a strong DLP-based dental 3D printing portfolio (Perfactory, Vida). Competes with Rapid Shape in dental labs and audiology, particularly for high-detail applications.

Emerging players

• DWS Systems: DWS Systems (now part of XTPL) manufactures DLP/SLA 3D printers for dental, jewelry, and industrial applications. Direct overlap with Rapid Shape's dental and jewelry verticals, particularly in European markets.
• Ackuretta: Ackuretta is a smaller DLP dental 3D printer maker (CLEANI, SOL, DENTIQ) with a dental-only focus. Overlaps with Rapid Shape's chairside and lab dental printer lines, particularly competing in mid-tier labs and clinics.
• MiiCraft: MiiCraft produces DLP 3D printers marketed for dental and small-batch industrial applications. Competes with Rapid Shape's entry-level ONE and PRO 20 printers, particularly in the audiology and dental SMB segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@rapidshape
• Facebookfacebook.com/schultheiss.rapidshape
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/company/rapid-shape
• Instagraminstagram.com/rapid.shape

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rapid Shape